Family Christmas Eve

Note the "rein-beers" on the table. 

My cousin's little girls, being adorable.

Her face is almost always one of skepticism.  It's pretty hilarious.

Their puppy, aka the tornado.  She does not sit still.  Ever.  But she's a a very fun and lovable soul.

This is the most still she was all night, and I think it's because she thought my camera was food.  Lord.

Twin Cities Eats: Lake Elmo Inn

When your dad loves pork chops, the place you go for his birthday is the Lake Elmo Inn!

Bonus: there is a complimentary champagne toast for the table if someone is having a birthday!

Twin Cities Music: Scandinavian Christmas with the Minnesota Orchestra

This was the best idea.

Friends since forever!

And...the rest of the night included mulled wine and spaetzle.  Such a lovely evening!

The Holidays with Medtronic

Every year, Medtronic has a company-wide holiday celebration with food, music, and a program where people that have used our products come and speak to remind us why we do what we do.

I was a very last-minute addition to the orchestra, but I'm glad I could be there to round out the orchestra!  The Hallelujah Chorus just isn't the same without a French horn player.

With 9000 employees in the Twin Cities, about 3000 were on the main campus for the day's program.  It was such a cool event, to hear from patients that use our diabetes pumps, our clot removal therapies, our laser scalpels.  Chances are, you know someone who has used at Medtronic product at some point in their life, and knowing that makes you want to work a little bit harder.

Star Wars!

Comfy seats!  Giant screen!  Not 3D!  Perfect.

The boys are ready.

Spoiler alert: we all loved it.

The view from my window

Mattress

It's a new world, everyone: you can buy a boxspring on amazon and a mattress that comes in the mail in a giant tube!

Presto chango, it's a box spring!

Magic.  My parents were skeptical, but the fact that there is A, a 100 day guarantee, B, personal pickup and no-questions-asked return policy, C, they donate the used mattress to a shelter, and D, it's made in the USA---well, all of these made this a no brainer.  My first mattress that I bought wasn't a great experience, and this would be $150 more for trying something new.  Absolutely worth it.

Unpacking!

You know what they say: it gets worse before it gets better!

Since everything had been in storage for six months, everything had to be washed.  I did approximately 87 loads of laundry during the move in process.

First sign of progress: a dining room set from Craigslist! It's been around, but the shapes are beautiful. Once everything is all set up, there will be after photos, promise!

Sunrise, sunset

The barest bit of sunrise at work.

Followed by a glorious sunset.

Tired puppy is tired.

Hello from Boston!

My friends are the best!  Such a lovely Christmas package. 

Gustav, welcome to the family!

St. Paul

Thanksgiving

Pie!

It was a snowy and beautiful morning.

The condo, all done up in mid century finery.

The pie! With slightly browned turkey on top.  For color, of course.